Mr. Phillip O. Carruth Obituary (1941 - 2016)

Phillip O. Carruth, Sr., 75, of Russellville, passed away Saturday, September 17th, 2016 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR. The son of David and Elsie (Owen) Carruth, he was born June 25th, 1941 in Evansville, IN. He was a high school graduate of Seminole High School in Seminole, OK and graduated with a master's degree in economics and finance from Oklahoma State University. He married Phyllis Turpin on June 1st, 1959 at Holdenville, OK and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville. After graduating Phillip worked on oil rigs off the coast of Alaska then returned to Oklahoma State University to complete his second master's degree. After graduating he went to work for Ralston Purina living in California, MO, Winslow, Maine, and Newark, New York. In 1975 Phillip accepted the sales manager position with Valmac Industries in Dardanelle. After working for Valmac, he worked for Lane Poultry Industries in DeQueen, AR. He started Poultry Specialties, Inc. in 1978 and was the owner and operator. Also opening a chicken plant in Van Buren, AR he was a pioneer in development of the fast food chicken sandwich patty. After his career in poultry Phillip turned his attention to civil service and was elected to the office of Mayor in 1995 and served until 1999. In 2005 he served as alderman on the Russellville city council. He was a member of the Russellville City Council, Rotary, Founder of the Russellville Football Boosters, Russellville Intermodal Committee, Russellville Airport Commission, Russellville Country Club Board, Russellville Center for the Arts Board of Directors, Arkansas Poultry Federation and was the Vice President of Sara Lee Corporation Meat Division. He was also the first republican mayor elected in pope county since the early 1900's. Phillip enjoyed golf, spending time with grandchildren, watching the Arkansas Razorbacks, football, and politics. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Elsie Carruth and his sister, Davene Shipman; and nephew David Shipman. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Carruth of Russellville; son, Phillip Owen Carruth Jr. and wife Jacque of Springdale, daughter, Phylisa Diane Carruth of Russellville, daughter, Phylana Kathleen Cornwell and husband Rush of Russellville, son, James David Carruth Sr. of Russellville; grandchildren, Hatley Bo Adkins, Whitley Kathleen Adkins, Zoey Elizabeth Adkins, Rhett Randall Adkins, Tristan Rush Cornwell, Mary Katherine Carruth, and James David Carruth Jr.; great-grandson, Eli Randall Mills; sister, Diane Knox and husband, Richard of Oakton, VA, and brother, David Craig Carruth of Stillwater, OK. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00PM, Thursday, September 22, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Russellville. Burial will be private. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Wednesday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Russellville Christian Clinic, Hospice River Valley Home, the Arkansas Children's Hospital, Razorback Foundation or the charity of your choosing. Pallbearers are Phillip Carruth Jr., Poncho Knight, Ted Kengla, Don Meisner, Lee Alford, Dave Carruth,Jim Carruth, Sr. and Rhett Adkins. Honorary pallbearers are James Bibler, Vince Kelly,Bill Lawrence, Freddie Rood, Robert Taylor, Tom Lastovica and Ernest Standridge. Arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.